If you’re staring at your calendar wondering who is in baseball playoffs today, you might notice something a bit quiet. It's January. The crack of the bat is currently replaced by the sound of front-office executives arguing over arbitration numbers. The 2025 postseason is officially in the history books, and the 2026 quest doesn't technically start until the snow melts.
Honestly, looking back at October is the only way to scratch that itch right now. The Los Angeles Dodgers just pulled off a historic "repeat," taking down the Toronto Blue Jays in a seven-game World Series thriller that ended on November 2nd, 2025.
It was a wild ride. The Dodgers have now won back-to-back titles—a feat we haven't seen since the Yankees' dynasty at the turn of the millennium. If you're looking for a live bracket, you’re about three months late or eight months early. But the fallout from that postseason is still defining the league today.
The Teams That Made The 2025 Cut
Last year’s playoff field was a mix of the usual suspects and some genuine "how did they get here?" stories. In the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees both finished with 94 wins, but the Jays took the AL East crown on a tiebreaker. The Seattle Mariners finally broke through to win the AL West—their first division title since 2001. That’s a long time to wait.
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The AL field was rounded out by the Cleveland Guardians (AL Central winners), the Boston Red Sox, and the scrappy Detroit Tigers, who made their second straight postseason appearance.
Over in the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers were actually the regular season juggernauts, racking up 97 wins to take the Central. The Philadelphia Phillies took the East with 96 wins, while the Dodgers "only" won 93 games but, as we know, they peaked at exactly the right time. The Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds filled out the Wild Card spots. Seeing the Reds back in the mix was a breath of fresh air for small-market fans.
Who is in baseball playoffs? (The 2025 Postseason Roster)
- Los Angeles Dodgers: The champs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was basically untouchable, eventually winning World Series MVP.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who took home ALCS MVP honors. They pushed the Dodgers to 11 innings in Game 7. Heartbreaking.
- Milwaukee Brewers: The NL's best record but got swept by the Dodgers in the NLCS.
- Seattle Mariners: Won a legendary 15-inning Game 5 in the ALDS against Detroit.
- New York Yankees: Knocked out their rivals, the Red Sox, in the Wild Card but fell to the Jays in the next round.
- Detroit Tigers: Proved 2024 wasn't a fluke.
Why the Postseason Picture Matters Today
Even though nobody is playing meaningful games this week, the "who" from the playoffs dictates the "what" of the off-season. Because the Dodgers won again, the rest of the NL West is in an arms race. The Padres just saw Mike Shildt retire, citing the job's toll, which is a massive shakeup for a team that was just in the thick of it.
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Teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves are currently the "most likely to succeed" in 2026 after disappointing 2025 campaigns. The Braves fired Brian Snitker after a 76-win season—that's how high the stakes are now. If you aren't in the playoffs, you might be out of a job.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Road to October
The 2026 season officially kicks off on March 25th with a night game between the Yankees and the Giants. If you’re already planning your October 2026 schedule, the postseason is slated to begin on September 29th.
There's a big twist this year, too. The World Baseball Classic is back in March 2026. This means the players you'll be watching in the playoffs next October will be playing high-stakes, playoff-intensity baseball months before the MLB season even gets its legs.
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Critical Dates for the 2026 Cycle
- February 20, 2026: Spring Training begins in Florida and Arizona.
- March 6, 2026: World Baseball Classic starts in Miami, Houston, and San Juan.
- March 26, 2026: Traditional Opening Day for 28 teams.
- September 29, 2026: The next time we can truly ask "who is in baseball playoffs" with a live bracket.
While the rosters for the 2026 playoffs are currently blank, the projections from sites like FanGraphs already have the Dodgers, Yankees, and Blue Jays as the heavy favorites to return. The Blue Jays are desperate to avenge that Game 7 loss, and with most of their core returning, they are the team to watch in the American League.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Transaction Wire: The next month is peak trade season. Watch teams like the Mariners and Orioles; they are one big bat away from shifting the 2026 playoff odds.
- Set Alerts for February 10th: This is when pitchers and catchers report for several teams, including the Braves and Red Sox. It’s the first real step toward the next postseason.
- Track the World Baseball Classic: Historically, players who perform well in the WBC carry that momentum into the MLB season. Keep an eye on the Japanese and Dominican rosters for potential 2026 breakout stars.